BusinessReport.com

Full name: Rose Marie (Johnson) Hudson

Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

Company: Louisiana Lottery Corporation

Age: 43

Hometown: Baton Rouge

Why do you do what you do?

I believe the public deserves the best lottery possible. I consider it a privilege to show up every day and work toward delivering a fun, appealing product while attending to the issue of public trust.

What is your greatest professional accomplishment?

Becoming president and CEO of the Louisiana Lottery Corporation, because my daughter has seen it as a sign of what is possible for her. Achievement that spurs future achievement is REAL achievement.

What was your first job?

Babysitting. I loved having regular customers and I always tried to do something extra (fold clothes, dishes, etc.). It carried over into my college job. I worked for one family with three children my entire four years of college.

What is the best advice you've ever received?

My ballet teacher would also say the same thing no matter how well we performed… “DO IT AGAIN.” This works for me today. No matter how well I do, I always deconstruct and mentally walk through IT again, suggesting changes to myself. This helps me relive a good moment, but also always map how to do better.

Who do you most admire in the local business community and why?

Alston Johnson with Phelps Dunbar. I value his advice and his friendship immensely.

If you could have any job other than your own, what would it be?

It changes every time someone asks because I am intrigued by a variety of jobs. I suppose I would want to be a combination professional volunteer/personal shopper.

What is the greatest personal or professional obstacle you've overcome?

I have had a few personal trials, but I would rather not share them. I firmly believe that anything I have experienced has been pure fuel for me.

If you started over, what would you do differently?

I would have combined my graduate studies with a law degree. LSU offered it and I thought long and hard about it. I think it would have worked well with my human resources concentration.

What is your prescription for life?

Work diligently, laugh much, and find joy every day.

What book are you currently reading?

I never seem to get that reading ONE book thing down, so I have SEVERAL going at a time:

Half Life of a Zealot by Swanee Hunt. She is the daughter of the late oil magnate E. L. Hunt, and details her life as she has matured toward a life of service and volunteerism even though she was not reared with those values.

More Than 85 Broads which highlights real stories of real women defining success in their own terms; and

The Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make because I love lists! This is an easy read and I can always grab a gem or two from titles like this.

If you could have dinner with any three living people, who would they be? (Authors? Leaders?)

Trying to have dinner with THREE famous people would be much too difficult. I would never get to have the type of in-depth conversation that I would hope for. I would choose just one person. Given where I am in my life, I would select either Jack Welch, or Oprah. I admire his business acumen and her gift for crafting a life that is financially successful and full of meaningful philanthropy.

Who would play you in a movie?

Model, actress, wife of David Bowie, Iman.

What do you do to unwind?

Sit outside with neighbors or family, walk around my neighborhood.

What is the most expensive purchase you've made for yourself?

My first home. It was such a major move for me and I saw it as a transition into REAL adulthood.

What is your favorite weekend activity?

It has changed recently to YBBR 9-year-old baseball games!

What's your theme song?

“I’m Every Woman” by Chaka Khan. The song is so upbeat and when I sing along, I BELIEVE!

What's your favorite spot in Baton Rouge?

In the air. I love flying into Baton Rouge and seeing the river, the bridge, the State Capitol, or trying to pick out my mom and dad’s house. The final approach is so comforting and no matter where I have been, those sights make me happy to be back home.

How do you take your coffee/tea?

Equal and whatever the flavored cream of the day is.

What is your favorite movie? TV show? Band?

Every Law and Order episode on every channel. I also adore The Barefoot Contessa. She looks like she enjoys cooking! Band? No contest, my husband has dubbed me a groupie of the R&B band, Maze, featuring Frankie Beverly. I HAVE to see them every time they come to Louisiana and their last record was released in 1996!

What is your favorite gadget?

iPod. I listen to music on airplanes and I have a cool little speaker that I use with it in hotels.

What is something that you can't live without?

Music, books, love and laughter.

If you could change one thing about Baton Rouge, what would it be?

The “stuttering” manner with which we seem to approach positive, smart change.

What is your greatest hope for Baton Rouge?

I hope we will throw the bias, racism, classism issues to the wind, embrace our destiny and reap the benefits.

What is your greatest fear for Baton Rouge?

I am so fearful that we are living in the midst of our greatest chance to be ONE great city and WE all don’t really care if we miss that chance.